Chicago, Illinois corruption trials

Former Ald. Ed Burkę enters the Dirksen Federal Courthouse Monday for the start of his corruption trial.

Ed Burke, ‘figurehead of the old regime,’ faces historic corruption trial

The stage has been set for another legal clash at the Dirksen courthouse. But it’s unclear whether another central political figure, former Chicago Ald. Danny Solis, will make an appearance in the courtroom.

By Jon Seidel

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich (left), businessman James T. Weiss (center) and former Gov. George Ryan are among those convicted in political corruption scandals in Illinois.

Democracy Solutions Project

Corruption in Illinois breeds voter cynicism, but what about voter apathy?

Calculating the true cost of corruption on Illinois residents is a complicated task wrapped in contradiction. A WBEZ analysis shows people may be more cynical, government more expensive, but voter interest in state elections only increased.

By Dave McKinney | WBEZ Chicago

USA v. Edward M. Burke

Edward M. Burke was the longest-serving member of Chicago’s City Council. But in 2019, a grand jury accused him of using his Council seat to steer business to his private law firm. He is charged with racketeering, bribery and conspiracy to commit extortion.

Former Ald. Ed Burke wears a tie and brown hat and coat in this close-up shot outside the Dirksen Federal Building.

USA vs. Edward M. Burke

Prosecutors ‘didn’t have the decency’ to call their key witness in Ed Burke’s corruption trial, defense says in closing arguments

“They ran an undercover investigation on Mr. Burke for 30 months — with the star witness being Danny Solis — and they didn’t have the decency to bring him to you,” said attorney Joseph Duffy.

By Jon Seidel and Mariah Woelfel

Former Ald. Ed Burke walks out of the Dirksen Federal Building during a lunch break Monday.

USA vs. Edward M. Burke

Former Ald. Ed Burke wielded power to ‘satisfy his own greed,’ prosecutor alleges in closing arguments

‘You have heard about a pattern of unlawful activity,’ prosecutor Diane MacArthur said. ‘Standing at the center of that steady drumbeat of unlawful activity is this man, Edward Burke.’

By Jon Seidel and Mariah Woelfel

Attorney Lisa Noller and former Ald. Danny Solis, both wearing dark suit jackets, enter a cab outside the Dirksen Federal Building while street lights glow in the cityscape background.

USA vs. Edward M. Burke

So long, Solis? Defense rests in Burke trial after briefly questioning ‘hostile’ witness and FBI mole Danny Solis

Ed Burke’s defense attorneys made good on their promise to call Solis to testify, forcing him out into the open nearly five years after the Chicago Sun-Times revealed his cooperation with the feds in January 2019.

By Jon Seidel and Mariah Woelfel

USA vs. Timothy Mapes

Timothy Mapes served for decades as the chief of staff to then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. He was accused of perjury and attempted obstruction of justice for a bid to block the feds’ Madigan investigation. A jury found him guilty on both counts and agreed that he lied on every occasion identified by prosecutors.

USA vs. Timothy Mapes

Three women who brought #MeToo allegations against Madigan circle find relief and hope in guilty verdict of ex-top aide

The women went public with accusations of harassment, retaliation and cover-up by Madigan and those around him. Although the trial focused on charges that Mapes lied to a grand jury, the women say the verdict will still send a message to other victims.

By Tina Sfondeles and Jon Seidel

Tim Mapes Dirksen Federal Building Chicago Illinois

USA vs. Timothy Mapes

Jury takes 5 hours to convict Madigan’s ex-top aide of perjury, attempted obstruction of justice: ‘This should stand as a clear message’

Tim Mapes, the former chief of staff to onetime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, is the seventh person to be convicted by a federal jury in Chicago this year as a result of public corruption investigations.

By Jon Seidel

Tim Mapes chief of staff Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan

USA vs. Timothy Mapes

Jury begins deliberations in perjury trial of ex-top aide to Madigan after feds hammer at ‘brazen’ and ‘preposterous’ lies

Tim Mapes, longtime chief of staff to one of Illinois’ most powerful politicians, listened as a federal prosecutor accused him of flaunting his oath to tell the truth, committing crimes and choosing “Team Madigan” as a grand jury closed in on his old boss.

By Jon Seidel

USA vs. James Weiss

Businessman James Weiss, son-in-law of former Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios, was accused of paying bribes to state lawmakers to advance legislation. Weiss was found guilty of wire and mail fraud, bribery, and lying to the FBI.

James T. Weiss is shown outside the Dirksen Federal Building after being sentenced.

Chicago corruption trials

James T. Weiss gets 5 1/2 years in prison for bribing 2 state lawmakers, lying to FBI

The judge spent part of the businessman’s sentencing hearing asking about Chicago’s persistent graft, saying to a prosecutor, ‘Why does public corruption keep happening?’

By Jon Seidel

Chicago corruption trials

Secret recordings cite ties between Berrios relative, Chicago mobster: ‘Jimmy and Frank were good friends’

Prosecutors revealed secretly recorded conversations Wednesday as they sought a prison sentence of more than five years for James T. Weiss, convicted this year of bribing two Illinois lawmakers.

By Jon Seidel

An undated file photo provided by the U.S. Attorney’s office, Northern District of Illinois, shows alleged mob enforcer Frank “The German” Schweihs.

Politics

Brother of Berrios son-in-law James Weiss charged with lying about ties to mobster Frank ‘The German’ Schweihs

The indictment against Joseph Weiss was handed up in August 2022 but unsealed this week. Prosecutors moved to keep it under seal in February, saying the investigation “extends beyond Joseph Weiss, and is ongoing.”

By Jon Seidel

ComEd Bribery Trial

Four power players were accused of trying to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to benefit ComEd. The four were found guilty.

Clockwise from upper left: Michael McClain, Anne Pramaggiore, Jay Doherty, John Hooker

ComEd bribery trial

Supreme Court review of Indiana case could affect guilty verdicts in ComEd bribery trial, lawyers say

The dispute is over whether a federal bribery statute criminalizes only bribery, as opposed to also criminalizing so-called gratuities or rewards.

By Jon Seidel

Chicago corruption trials

‘Life’ at stake? Ominous prediction made as sentencing hearings loom in ComEd bribery case

It’s a sign of how serious all sides are taking the sentencing of Madigan confidant Michael McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, ex-ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and onetime City Club President Jay Doherty.

By Jon Seidel

Chicago corruption trials

SEC hits ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore with fraud charges for corrupt pursuit of ‘clout’

The Securities and Exchange Commission also filed charges against Exelon and ComEd, but their charges will be settled for $46.2 million.

By Jon Seidel

Chicago corruption trials

ComEd Scandal Timeline

A look at some of the key players involved in the case and the trial, and a timeline of key events leading up to it, as outlined in court records.

USA v. Alex Acevedo

Alex Acevedo, a son of former state Rep. Eddie Acevedo, went to trial on tax charges related to the investigation of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Alex Acevedo was found guilty.

25th Ward aldermanic candidate Alexander “Alex” Acevedo speaking with the Sun-Times Editorial Board last month. File Photo. | Rich Hein/Sun-Times

La Voz Chicago

Son of former state Sen. Eddie Acevedo gets 2 months for filing false tax claims

Alex Acevedo’s prison term is longer than the one-month sentence handed to his brother but shorter than the 6 months his father got. Both were also found guilty of tax violations.

By Andy Grimm

Dirksen Federal Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn St.

Politics

Son of ex-state Rep. ‘Eddie’ Acevedo goes on trial, fights tax charges tied to Madigan probe

Alex Acevedo, his brother Michael Acevedo and their father were charged with cheating on their taxes in indictments in February 2021. Edward Acevedo pleaded guilty in December 2021 to tax evasion, was sentenced to six months behind bars and was released last month.

By Jon Seidel

Crime

Son of former state Rep. Eddie Acevedo found guilty on tax charges

Alex Acevedo, his brother Michael Acevedo and their father were each charged with cheating on their taxes in separate indictments handed up in February 2021.

By Jon Seidel